“A wicked man cannot but be suspicious; happy are those who give no
occasion for suspicion.”
“I have never seen a great fire from which there came no smoke,” said
Longarine, “but I have often seen smoke where there was no fire. The
wicked are as suspicious when there is no mischief as when there is.”
“Truly, Longarine,” Hircan forthwith rejoined, “you have spoken so well
in support of the honour of ladies wrongfully suspected, that I give you
my vote to tell the eighth tale. I hope, however, that you will not make
us weep, as Madame Oisille did, by too much praise of virtuous women.”
At this Longarine laughed heartily, and thus began:--“You want me to
make you laugh, as is my wont, but it shall not be at women’s expense.
I will show you, however, how easy it is to deceive them when they are
inclined to be jealous and esteem themselves clever enough to deceive
their husbands.”
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